Berlin, June 5 – Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) will participate in the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade with a dedicated truck for the first time. The State of Berlin, through its marketing company “Berlin Partner,” registered a float for the demonstration, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators on July 25. This was confirmed by Senate spokeswoman Christine Richter upon inquiry, following an initial report by the “Bild” newspaper.
“Rainbow Capital Berlin” Truck to Feature Prominently
According to Richter and the Senate Chancellery, a double-decker truck will be featured, bearing the motto “Rainbow Capital Berlin.” The truck will be adorned in the colors of the rainbow flag, feature the Berlin bear, and be equipped with two LED screens. “Representatives of various initiatives, institutions, and the Rainbow Network of the Berlin administration will be on board the truck,” Richter stated. Mayor Wegner and other members of the Senate are also expected to be present.
Wegner emphasized the significance of CSD for Berlin. “Together with Berlin Partner, we, as the State of Berlin, want to send a clear signal for diversity and the queer community and stand against homophobia and exclusion,” he explained.
Richter added that participation in CSD is part of a campaign during Berlin’s “Pride Month,” focusing on self-determination, queer safety, and discrimination-free coexistence.
Significant Investment in Pride Month Campaign
The cost of the campaign, including both monetary and in-kind contributions, is estimated at 375,000 Euros. “The Senate Chancellery is providing approximately 140,000 Euros (net) for the implementation of information measures and the realization of the Berlin truck,” the statement read. “Additionally, Partner für Berlin Holding Gesellschaft für Hauptstadt-Marketing mbH is supporting the project with in-kind contributions valued at approximately 235,000 Euros (net).” The CSD organizers charge a participation fee of 6,250 Euros per truck.
CSD Organizers Welcome Wegner’s Participation
Relations between Wegner and the CSD organizers had been strained recently, with the latter criticizing Wegner for not adequately supporting the queer community. Consequently, Wegner was not allowed to open the CSD in previous years, although he still participated, sometimes riding on trucks of other initiatives or organizations.
The CSD board has welcomed Wegner’s participation with the “Berlin Partner” truck. “The Berlin CSD thrives on politics, administration, business, and civil society visibly advocating for diversity, democracy, and the rights of the LGBTIQ* community,” read a statement from the board.
WorldPride 2032 Bid and Financial Scrutiny
“Especially with regard to our bid for WorldPride 2032, the support of the Governing Mayor is of crucial importance,” a spokesperson added. “In this respect, we are pleased if Mr. Wegner, through his participation in our demonstration, wishes to express his support for this demand and our other goals.” The “WorldPride” festival is one of the largest international queer community events and has never taken place in Germany.
Despite the positive reception from CSD organizers, SPDqueer, the working group for acceptance and equality within Berlin’s SPD, acknowledged the positive signal of the Senate’s participation and support for the community but criticized the financial expenditure. They argued that 375,000 Euros for the truck and accompanying campaign are not justifiable given years of austerity policies against queer infrastructure in Berlin.
The participation of political institutions with their own trucks in CSD is not uncommon. This year, two months before the Berlin elections, the CDU, SPD, Greens, Left, FDP, and Volt are also expected to have their own trucks, according to the organizers. The district office of Tempelhof-Schöneberg will also be participating.
Source: https://berliner-abendblatt.de/berlin-news/wegner-mit-eigener-truck-beim-csd-in-berlin-id336473
